What is Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)?
Household hazardous waste (HHW) products are those products that have the potential to harm people and the environment, and should not be disposed of in your normal household wheelie or recycling bin. The safe disposal of household hazardous waste is also important in preserving our waterways and soil and air quality.
The need to keep potentially hazardous products out of your bins is even more important with the operation of the region’s Resource Recovery Facility (RRF). The RRF will process the contents of household wheelie bins and convert it into compost. HHW products in your bin could affect the quality of the compost produced through this process.
How can HHW be harmful?
Hazardous waste can be dangerous at every stage of its "life", this is because these materials could:
- Cause poisoning or severe burns if swallowed, inhaled or contact skin
- React with other chemicals or heat and cause fire or toxic fumes
- Leak on the ground and contaminate the soil or groundwater
- Injure waste collectors if HHW is placed in household bins or out for verge collections
- Pollute the environment if it ends up in landfill
The program provides facilities in WA for the public to safely drop off their hazardous materials for free. The program does NOT accept waste from commercial businesses or industrial sites, for commercial disposal charges may occur.
Maximum quantities of these items listed below are accepted for FREE at Tamala Park's Drop Off per day: 20 litres or 20kg. Containers MUST be labelled and sealed (preferably with a tight fitting lid)
- Aerosols
- Batteries (including car batteries)
- Brake and Transmission Fluid
- Cleaning Chemicals
- Compact Fluorescent Lamps and Fluorescent Tubes
- Engine Coolant
- Fire Extinguishers
- Flammable Liquids
- Flares
- Gas Bottles
- Household Acids and Alkalis
- Paints
- Pesticides & Herbicides
- Poisons
- Pool & garden chemicals
- Smoke Detectors
- Thinners/Solvents
For more information about the Household Hazardous Waste program click here
For further information on problem waste click here.
Safe storage and transporting of HHW
Never mix chemicals together
Always keep hazardous materials out of reach of children and pets
Handle hazardous materials with care and avoid direct contact
Always wash hands after handling (even if you have worn gloves)
Keep HHW dry away from heat or flames
Keep products in original containers where possible
Store containers upright with lids tightly closed and enclosed and ensure containers are not leaking
If container is damaged or leaking, place it in a larger container with a tight fitting lid and label the outer container with the contents
When transporting hazardous materials, ensure they are stored securely in a box or crate so they do not fall over and leak
Transport HHW in the boot or rear of your vehicle, separate from the main cabin, where possible
Permanent HHW Facilities
There are permanent HHW facilities in the Perth Metro area that accepts domestic quantities of household hazardous waste, drop off items at the following locations:
Tamala Park, 1700 Marmion Avenue, Mindarie, 6030. Open 7 days a week from 8:00am - 4:45pm
For further information contact: 9306 6303 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Balcatta Recycling Centre, City of Stirling, 228 Balcatta Road, Balcatta, 6021 or phone City of Stirling on 9345 8555
For further information contact: 9445 6591 or visit Balcatta Recycling Centre